GOV: Tentative COVID-19 vaccine plan

100,000 estimated doses are set to be distributed to Nebraskan health care workers come mid-December

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- Gov. Ricketts and Nebraska health officials held a press conference Wednesday morning in regards to the COVID-19 vaccination plan for Nebraska.

Angie Lee, from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, spoke on the phases of vaccine distribution in the state.

“Due to the limited COVID vaccine, immunizations programs have been encouraged to utilize a phase approach to the vaccine allocation,” Lee says. “It’s vitally important that those on the front lines of the pandemic stay as healthy as possible and that we reduce their chances of spreading the virus. This is why the first allocations will focus on health care personnel.”

Phase 1 A of the vaccination distribution plan is estimated to begin mid-December, around the 13th. Lee gave these projected dates and number of doses of each vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna) for vaccine allocation:

• Dec. 13-19: 15,600 of Pfizer vaccine
• Dec. 20-26: 19,500 of Pfizer and 32,100 of Moderna vaccine
• Dec. 27-32: 23,400 of Pfizer and 14,200 of Moderna
• Estimated total doses for Phase 1 A of immunization: 100,000

Phase 1 A is estimated to be around 90,000 people. Who are the 90,000 people projected to receive the first doses of the vaccine? Health care workers. Lee gave an exact breakdown of who the Phase 1 A recipients will be:

• Health care providers
• Nurses
• Ancillary staff in direct contact with the virus
• Home health care workers
• Pharmacies
• Emergency Medical Services workers
• Other health care staff

Gov. Ricketts says they are working towards distributing the vaccine statewide come springtime. Additional phases are set to come as more doses of the vaccine come.

The vaccine comes in two doses, Ricketts emphasized the importance of taking the second dose to receive the 95% efficacy immunity from the vaccine.

If you have already been diagnosed with coronavirus, Ricketts says to “be on the safe side” and still get a vaccine when the time comes.